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Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
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News Reports

Current Operations

• OIF/OEF/OND Casualty Update 13 Sep 2011 [PDF]
• NATO and Libya - Operational Media Update: 12 Sep 2011
• NATO Reaffirms Commitment to Libyan People AFPS 13 Sep 2011 -- NATO-led operations in Libya will continue to focus on protecting the Libyan people, and will not support either the pro- or anti-Gadhafi forces, a NATO spokeswoman said today.
• Third Army prepares for USF-I repositioning Army News 12 Sep 2011 -- As the Dec. 31 deadline nears for the repositioning of U.S. service members in Iraq, Third Army/ARCENT Soldiers stand ready to assist with their transition.
• Pentagon Says Kabul Assault 'Far from Spectacular' VOA 13 Sep 2011 -- Pentagon officials say Tuesday's attacks on the U.S. Embassy and other targets in Kabul, Afghanistan will not change U.S. plans to hand over security responsibility to the Afghan government.
• Taliban Attacks in Kabul Also Target Public Opinion VOA 13 Sep 2011 -- Tuesday's insurgent attacks in the Afghan capital of Kabul were aimed at high-value targets in an effort to influence public opinion about the direction of the war. The Taliban, unable to win militarily, seems to have shifted to terrorist tactics.
• Taliban Claims Responsibility For Daring Attack In Central Kabul RFE/RL 13 Sep 2011 -- Taliban suicide fighters in Kabul have stormed a multistory building that is under construction, taking over the structure and using it as a fortress tower to fire rockets toward several nearby embassies and NATO compounds.
• Taliban Stage Brazen Assaults Against Western Targets in Kabul VOA 13 Sep 2011 -- Taliban insurgents armed with suicide vests and rocket-propelled grenades launched a series of attacks Tuesday in central Kabul, including NATO's headquarters, the U.S. Embassy and the Afghan intelligence agency.
• Afghan president says Taliban not to hamper transition RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2011 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai said the Taliban would not derail the transition of his country from the NATO-led coalition to Afghan control, following a string of suicide bomb and gun attacks in central Kabul.
• Effort in Afghanistan Undeterred, Official Says AFPS 13 Sep 2011 -- An attack near the U.S. Embassy and International Security Assistance Force headquarters in the Afghan capital of Kabul today will not deter the United States from its efforts in Afghanistan, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here.
• Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe visits Helmand province USMC News 13 Sep 2011 -- Lt. Gen. Sir Alexander Richard David Shirreff, NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, toured Regional Command Southwest's area of operations in Helmand province, Sept. 5-6.
• 'New England's Own' arrives in Afghanistan, prepares for operations USMC News 13 Sep 2011 -- During the first week of September, Marines with 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, a reserve infantry battalion based out of the New England area, conducted integration training aboard Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan.
• Royal Marines help secure Afghan village UK MOD 13 Sep 2011 -- A ground-breaking ceremony has taken place in Loy Mandeh Kalay in Afghanistan, after Royal Marines from 42 Commando worked for months to make it safe.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Carter Pledges 'Earnest Efforts,' if Confirmed as Deputy AFPS 13 Sep 2011 -- If confirmed as the new deputy defense secretary, Ashton B. Carter told senators today, he will expand on his efforts to answer the needs of warfighters, and help the Defense Department get more for its money.
• Sailors No. 1 Mission: Return USS Wasp to Sea NNS 13 Sep 2011 -- USS Wasp flight deck certified to land AV-8B Harriers Sept.11 while underway.
• USS Gettysburg Holds Change of Command Ceremony NNS 13 Sep 2011 -- USS Gettysburg (CG 64) held a change of command ceremony Sept. 8.
• Streamlining Army Mobilization Process Focus of Committee Visit Army News 13 Sep 2011 -- Ten general officers, representing the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee, met at First Army Headquarters Sept. 12 to review regulations for Reserve Component policies concerning mobilization and demobilization procedures.
• Intelligence Chiefs: Al-Qaida Weaker But Still Committed AFPS 13 Sep 2011 -- Ten years after 9/11, al-Qaida is weaker and the U.S. intelligence community is more effective, the nation's top intelligence officials told Congress today.
• Alexander Cites Need for Greater Cyber Defenses AFPS 13 Sep 2011 -- Citing the high rate of intrusions against Defense Department networks, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command today said his biggest concern is the threat of destructive attacks yet to be seen.
• Company F conducts opposed night boat raid USMC News 13 Sep 2011 -- Under the cover of darkness Marines of Company F, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, stealthily made their way ashore in inflatable rubber craft during a mock small-boat amphibious raid, Sept. 12.
• U.S., Romania set to sign missile shield agreement RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2011 -- The United States will sign on Tuesday an agreement with Romania on the deployment of elements of its missile shield, the U.S. Department of State said.
• Iran starts operational phase of air drill ISNA 13 Sep 2011 -- Iranian fighters start targeting objectives through domestically-built bombs and missiles as they started the first day of the third phase of air maneuver Tuesday in northwestern Iran.
• Russian warship ends anti-piracy mission off Somali coast RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2011 -- A Russian task force from the Northern Fleet led by the destroyer Severomorsk has concluded its anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden and set sail for its home base, the fleet's press service said on Tuesday.
• Two U.S. senators sponsor bill to sell F-16 C/D fighters to Taiwan CNA 13 Sep 2011 -- United States senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced legislation Monday that would require the Obama Administration to sell no fewer than 66 new F-16 C/D multirole fighter jets to Taiwan.
• September 13, 2011 - U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing US Dept. of State 13 Sep 2011
• Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney Aboard Air Force One en route Columbus, OH The White House 13 Sep 2011

Defense Industry

• DoD News: Contracts for September 13, 2011
• ATK Expands Decade-Long Partnerships with Turkish Defence Company MKEK to Provide Training, Spares, Components and Technical Support ATK 13 Sep 2011 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) announced today the receipt of a $16.2 million, two-year contract from Makina ve Kimya Endustrisi Kurumu (Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation or MKEK), on behalf of the Turkish Ministry of Defence, for 25mm tactical and training ammunition components.
• Boeing Receives Additional Wideband Global SATCOM Orders Boeing 13 Sep 2011 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] on Sept. 1 received a $1.09 billion contract modification from the U.S. Air Force adding funding to the existing Block II follow-on contract for full production, launch and on-orbit activation of the seventh Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellite and procurement of long-lead materials for an eighth satellite.
• BAE Systems wins £10m Infra Red Shell contract from UK MoD BAE Systems 13 Sep 2011 -- BAE Systems has won a £10m contract to produce 8,000 105mm infra-red illuminating artillery shells from the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD).
• BAE Systems receives additional orders for the first Palm-Sized Thermal Monocular available BAE Systems 13 Sep 2011 -- BAE Systems has received an $11.1 million order for the StalkIR®, one of the highest performance and smallest clip-on thermal monoculars available.
• New Royal Navy Type 997 radar is put through its paces on the Isle of Wight BAE Systems 13 Sep 2011 -- The Royal Navy's new radar has taken a major step forward as the first ARTISAN radar production system, destined for HMS Iron Duke, commences tracking trials on the Isle of Wight.
• BAE Systems' Web technology provides clearer picture for MoD Low Flying Operations BAE Systems 13 Sep 2011 -- BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the UK's Land Forces HQ Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) to provide an advisory web based Aviation Deconfliction Planning Service (ADPS). The service is based on BAE Systems' Centralised Aviation Data Service (CADS) which was trialled by almost 1000 users during 2010 and early 2011.
• BAE Systems unveils Advanced Technology Innovations for the soldier BAE Systems 13 Sep 2011 -- BAE Systems is showcasing several new technologies engineered to give soldiers a decisive advantage in detecting, observing, and engaging the enemy - day or night - at the Defense and Security Equipment International trade show from 13 -16 September.
• Boeing selects BAE Systems to provide touch-screen control panels for Air Force's KC-46A tanker BAE Systems 13 Sep 2011 -- Boeing has selected BAE Systems to provide its Interior Control Panel for the U.S. Air Force's KC-46A tanker. The panel leverages touch-screen technology and a user-friendly interface that allows an aircrew to efficiently control a variety of interior functions such as lighting, potable water, and waste tanks on the new aerial refuelling and strategic transport aircraft.
• Boeing Receives US Air Force F-22 Mission Planning System Contract Boeing 13 Sep 2011 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to provide mission planning support for the F-22 Raptor.
• General Dynamics to Design New Supply Chain and Manufacturing Technologies for Remotely Piloted Vehicles General Dynamics 13 Sep 2011 -- General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been selected by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as an awardee for the Manufacturing Technologies for Remotely Piloted Vehicles contract. The five-year, multiple-award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract has a total potential value of $45 million among all awardees.
• MEADS Integrated Launcher Electronics System Completes First Simulated Missile Launch Lockheed Martin 13 Sep 2011 -- The Medium Extended Air Defense System's (MEADS) Integrated Launcher Electronics System (ILES) recently executed a simulated missile launch, marking another in a series of significant test accomplishments.
• Lockheed Martin Surpasses 8,600 Hours Of Testing On Low-Risk JAGM Seeker Lockheed Martin 13 Sep 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has performed more than 8,600 hours of tests on its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) cooled seeker, proving its operational capability and low risk.
• Northrop Grumman Introduces New Marine Gyro-Based Inertial Navigation System Northrop Grumman 13 Sep 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is introducing the MK 39 Mod 4A Ring Laser Ship's Inertial Navigation System, the latest generation of its MK 39 family of navigation systems based on the company's proven ring laser gyro (RLG) technology.
• Northrop Grumman and CEA Demonstrate Scalable CEAFAR Next-Generation Phased Array Sensor System Northrop Grumman 13 Sep 2011 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and partner CEA Technologies Pty Limited successfully conducted a demonstration of CEAFAR, a scalable and tailorable S-Band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multi-function radar suitable for naval vessels as small as offshore patrol craft and as large as destroyers and cruisers.
• Oshkosh Defense Unveils Next-Generation Light Combat Vehicle Oshkosh 13 Sep 2011 -- The next generation of light combat military vehicles require new levels of mobility and protection to operate effectively in remote, rugged and hostile landscapes.
• UK MoD Selects Raytheon BBN Technologies' Boomerang Shooter Detection System Raytheon 13 Sep 2011 -- Raytheon BBN Technologies will provide its Boomerang shooter detection systems to the U.K. Ministry of Defence. BBN is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN).
• TALON Laser-Guided Rocket Team Completes Key Development Milestone Raytheon 13 Sep 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed additional testing of the TALON Laser-Guided Rocket on the AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter. Raytheon and Emirates Advanced Investment Group are developing TALON under a cooperative development effort.
• New Raytheon Datalink Will Allow NATO Ships to Employ All Standard Missiles Raytheon 13 Sep 2011 -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed design and testing of a prototype dual-band datalink that will enable interoperability between the Standard Missile family of interceptors and a wider variety of radars and ships.
• Malaysia : Thales to supply electronic system integration for 257 armoured-wheeled vehicles Thales 13 Sep 2011 -- Thales has been awarded a major contract for the integration of an advanced open vehicle electronic architecture system for the 257 new 8x8 armoured-wheeled vehicles of the Malaysian Army.

Other Conflicts

• 13 September 2011 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 13 Sep 2011
• Press Conference by General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser United Nations 13 Sep 2011
• Libya's New Leaders Pledge 'Moderate' Islamic Rule RFE/RL 13 Sep 2011 -- Mustafa Abdel Jalil, the head of Libya's National Transitional Council, has made his first public appearance in Tripoli, telling a fervent crowd at Martyrs' Square that there will be 'moderate' Islamic rule for the country.
• Residents Flee Gadhafi Stronghold Bani Walid VOA 13 Sep 2011 -- Residents of one of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's remaining strongholds fled Tuesday, as NATO and fighters for the country's provisional authority continued to attack pro-Gadhafi forces.
• US Moves to Avert Showdown Over Palestinian Statehood VOA 13 Sep 2011 -- The Obama administration is sending two top envoys back to the Middle East in the hopes of avoiding a looming showdown over Palestinian statehood.
• Fatah Official Says Palestinians Will Seek Full UN Recognition VOA 13 Sep 2011 -- Palestinian leaders appear ready to pursue full recognition from the United Nations despite American warnings that such a move would be counterproductive to Mideast peace efforts.
• Turkey Tells Arab League Recognizing Palestinian State 'An Obligation' RFE/RL 13 Sep 2011 -- On the first day of his visit to Egypt, the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed foreign ministers of the Arab League. He started his address with a few words in Arabic before reaching out to all Arab people with a warning.
• Hamas calls on Abbas to ditch Palestine recognition bid in UN RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2011 -- Hamas lawmakers urged Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday to abandon his plans to ask the UN to recognize the independence of the Palestinian state.
• Briefing: The Palestinian bid for statehood IRIN 13 Sep 2011 -- Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas will lodge a proposal with the UN this month seeking recognition of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem - occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six Day War - after the breakdown of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
• UN agency renews funding appeal for emergency programmes in Gaza UN News Centre 13 Sep 2011 -- The United Nations today renewed its appeal to donors to provide $36 million in urgently-needed funds to support emergency assistance to Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.
• General Assembly opens new session with plea for unity to tackle global crises UN News Centre 13 Sep 2011 -- The General Assembly today opened its annual session with a fervent plea for cooperation in tackling looming crises from conflicts to climate change, and a nostalgic look back to a former secretary-general who died 50 years ago in the service of peace.
• Consolidating peace in Liberia extends beyond upcoming polls – UN envoy UN News Centre 13 Sep 2011 -- While the upcoming elections provide an opportunity to consolidate Liberia's hard-won peace, the country will continue to need international support, particularly in strengthening its security institutions, the United Nations envoy to the West African nation said today.
• Fighting in Sudan's Blue Nile state displaces tens of thousands of people – UN UN News Centre 13 Sep 2011 -- Fighting between the Sudanese armed forces and rebels in the country's Blue Nile state has continued, displacing tens of thousands of people who cannot be reached by relief agencies due to movement restrictions imposed by the Government, the United Nations humanitarian office reported today.
• YEMEN: Tackling trauma in displaced children IRIN 13 Sep 2011 -- Children make up 60 percent of the 100,000-plus internally displaced persons (IDPs) in southern Yemen, Geert Cappelaere, a UNICEF representative in Yemen, told IRIN. 'Almost all child IDPs in the south had distress or trauma upon their arrival in areas of displacement,' he said.
• Ban forwards report on Sri Lanka war crimes to top UN human rights body UN News Centre 13 Sep 2011 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has sent the report of his panel of experts on accountability issues during the final stages of the civil war in Sri Lanka to the United Nations human rights chief and the President of the Human Rights Council.

News Reports

• Iranian President Says US Hikers to Soon See Release VOA 13 Sep 2011 -- Two Americans imprisoned in Iran since July 2009 and recently convicted of spying are about to be released, according to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. A lawyer for the pair indicates that bail of half a million dollars has been set for each man.
• Iran says letter to Ashton includes no change in nuclear plan ISNA 13 Sep 2011 -- Iran said Tuesday the letter of top nuclear negotiator to Ashton involves no change in the country's view point on its nuclear plan.
• Russia says engages in Iran's N-plant projects ISNA 13 Sep 2011 -- Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said the country would engage in Iran's next nuclear plant development projects.
• Iran, Russia sign nuclear plant protocols ISNA 13 Sep 2011 -- Iran and Russia signed two nuclear power plant cooperation protocols on the sidelines of Bushehr power plant launch ceremony.
• Detained Americans in Iran to be freed on $500,000 bail each IRNA 13 Sep 2011 -- The lawyer of two US detainees told IRNA on Tuesday that the Bench 36 of the Revolutionary Court had ruled that the two detainees can be freed on a $500,000 bail each.
• Iran to release US nationals on bail ISNA 13 Sep 2011 -- Iran is going to release the two American nationals on bail.
• Iran's Ahmadinejad Says Jailed Americans Should Be Freed Soon RFE/RL 13 Sep 2011 -- Two Americans jailed in Iran as spies appear on the verge of a reprieve after the Iranian president, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, told U.S. news outlets that he was working to have them freed in two days.
• Nigeria Pursues al-Qaida Affiliated Terrorists Behind UN Bombing VOA 13 Sep 2011 -- Nigerian security services are hunting for those behind last month's bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Abuja that killed 23 people. Muslim fundamentalists who claimed responsibility for the bombing said they are fighting for an independent Islamic nation in northern Nigeria.
• Russia announces launch of 2 spacecraft in Oct.-Nov. RIA Novosti 13 Sep 2011 -- Russian space agency Roscosmos said on Tuesday it has tentatively set the nearest launch of a Progress space freighter on October 30 and a Soyuz manned spacecraft on November 12.
• MYANMAR: Kachin aid groups running on empty IRIN 13 Sep 2011 -- Kachin aid groups are running out of means to help more than 25,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) on the border between Myanmar and China.
• UN Human Rights Officials Demand Probe of Yemen Violations VOA 13 Sep 2011 -- United Nations human rights officials say six months of protest-related violence in Yemen has killed hundreds of people and injured thousands more. A team of U.N. rights experts on Tuesday called for immediate action to protect demonstrators who are demanding President Ali Abdullah Saleh step down.